has used to

USAGE SUMMARY

'has used to' is a correctly formed phrase that can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to something that someone has been accustomed to doing or being in the past but is no longer the case. For example: "She has used to eat healthy food, but now she has been indulging in junk food."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

It is trees that Dr. Maathai has used to build her women's movement.

The New York Times

Not just any shoes: pointe shoes, which Sigur Ros has used to build a new instrument.

The New York Times - Arts

"What power he does have he has used to ill effect," Mr. Gore replied.

The New York Times

Another strategy Mr. Cohen has used to advantage, though sometimes regretfully, is anger.

The New York Times - Health

This forms the National Fairground Archive, which Toulmin has used to create an exhibition, Pleasurelands.

The Guardian - Arts

Fashion is one of the techniques she has used to accomplish this.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Give up excuses you've used to justify playing safe.

Huffington Post

Andrew had to get used to this".

The New Yorker

They have to get used to that.

The New York Times

He had better get used to it.

The Economist

I have to get used to it".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past habits, consider using the simpler and more common phrase "used to" instead of "has used to" for better clarity and acceptance.

Common error

Avoid using "has used to" when referring to a current habit or state. Instead, use "is used to" to describe something one is currently accustomed to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has used to" functions as a verb phrase aiming to express a past habit or action. However, it is not the standard or preferred way to convey this meaning. As Ludwig AI notes, this phrase is not incorrect, yet its usage is rare.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has used to" is a verb phrase that attempts to describe past habits, but its usage is uncommon and often awkward. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical acceptability but notes its infrequent appearance in reliable sources. For clearer and more effective communication, it's advisable to opt for alternatives like "used to", "was accustomed to", or "had a habit of". While encountered in news and scientific contexts, its limited prevalence suggests a cautious and deliberate approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

used to

Omits the auxiliary verb "has", resulting in a simpler expression for past habits.

was accustomed to

Replaces "used to" with a more formal phrase emphasizing a past state of being.

had a habit of

Indicates a repeated action or behavior in the past.

would often

Expresses a recurring action or tendency in the past.

was in the habit of

Similar to "had a habit of" but slightly more formal.

once did

Indicates a past action or state that is no longer true.

previously did

Highlights a past action before a change in circumstances.

formerly did

Similar to "previously did", suggesting a past action or state.

in the past did

Directly indicates an action occurring at some point in the past.

at one time did

Implies that an action or state was true at a specific point in the past, but no longer is.

FAQs

Is "has used to" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "has used to" is an uncommon and often awkward construction. It's generally better to use the simpler form "used to" for past habits.

When should I use "used to" instead of "has used to"?

Always prefer "used to" when describing past habits or states. For instance, "I used to play the piano" is more natural than "I have used to play the piano".

What are some alternatives to "has used to"?

Consider alternatives like "was accustomed to", "had a habit of", or simply "used to" for clearer and more common expressions.

How does "has used to" differ from "is used to"?

"Has used to" attempts to describe a past habit (though poorly), whereas "is used to" describes something one is currently accustomed to or familiar with. For example, "I am used to waking up early" means I am accustomed to it now.